***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Kenai and other Kenai Peninsula towns can be found at Alaska Job Finder.com. Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska Job information.**

Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

The Kenai Peninsula extends from the mainland about 200 miles to the south and west into the Gulf of Alaska. Because of its accessibility to Anchorage and its abundant wildlife and scenic marvels, the peninsula is the state's most popular outdoor recreation area. The city of Kenai is overlooked by Mt. Redoubt, an active volcano that most recently erupted in 1989. The Peninsula's largest and Alaska's second-oldest city, Kenai is located high on a bluff and has an incredible view of Cook Inlet and the Beluga whales that pass by.

The Kenai Peninsula's fishermen primarily do their work in Resurrection Bay, Cook Inlet, and waters around the peninsula. They sell their hauls to processors in shoreside communities such as Seward, Kenai, and Homer. Offshore oil drilling is the other big business in town.

The Peninsula's fishermen catch about 6 percent of the state-wide salmon totals. Kenai is "Grand Central Station" for seasonal cannery workers, and although the town is rather nondescript, the surrounding wilderness is beautiful. A number of large processors in Kenai hire close to 2,000 workers every summer. Because the town and processing plants are very spread out, it may be difficult to travel everywhere on foot. Many summer residents bring a bike or try to buy a used one for cheap.

Many processing workers spend their free time at the local library where they can read books, listen to music, and watch videos. Nature lovers can explore outlying Captain Cook State Recreation Area, Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, and Beluga Whale Lookout. The city also has a swimming pool, golf course, and walking and biking paths. Other leisure-time options include sport fishing and whale watching. Nearby Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is home to canoe routes, 200 miles of hiking trails, and a host of wildlife. Outdoorspeople may wish to stop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office for information on fishing, hiking, boating, fishing, and the refuge's seven free campgrounds.

Kenai Information

Population: 7,500

Location: Cook Inlet, just above the mouth of the Kenai River

Annual precipitation: 58 inches

July average: Temperature 56.3 F; precipitation 1.97 inches

Inexpensive lodging: Katmai Pines Lodge, 260 South Willow Street, (907) 283-6101; and The Merit Inn both have rooms starting around $80/night during the summer, and $50/night+ during the winter. If you really want to splurge, try Kings Inn with 2 queen beds, refrigerator, microwave, & cable TV for $69.50/night.

Camping: Kenai has long been known for the hundreds of processing workers who camp out during the summer months. In 1993, the city of Kenai passed a new ordinance that made it illegal to camp in many areas. Some camp illegally down on the beach. Most campers say they aren't hassled as long as they keep a clean campsite and don't cause any trouble. Once hired or on a processing plant's hire list, employers allow their workers to camp on nearby company land. Many also provide showers and washing facilities. The Recreation Center (907) 283-3855, located at 227 Caviar Street, has great deals on the use of their facilities. Racquetball courts cost $8-10/hour; weight room use is $3/day; or $1 will get you in to use the gymnasium. Showers are included in the racquetball and weight room rates.

Visitors Information: Visitors Center, (907) 283-1991

Chamber of Commerce: 402 Overland, Kenai, AK 99611; (907) 283-7989

Hospital: Central Peninsula General Hospital, (907) 262-4404

***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about the town of Kenai and other Region 2 towns can be found at Alaska Job Finder. Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska Job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

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